Mini to discontinue Paceman in a bid to downsize lineup - Driving
Mini will cease production of its coupe, roadster and Paceman crossover, reversing course on a strategy of adding variants that failed to spark growth. Mini will focus on five models, including the trademark hatchback and the Countryman crossover. “This will be the start of a new era for Mini,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, the BMW executive who oversees the division. The revamped Clubman reflects the new Mini. In keeping with Mini’s urban credentials, Clubman owners will be able to rent their car to others via BMW’s DriveNow car- sharing venture. The option, which will be available first in the U. S. , also offers a keyless system to let a group of friends or family share the same car. The Superleggera , a two-seat sports car concept shown in 2014, is “an extremely interesting” option for a fifth model, Schwarzenbauer told reporters in Berlin. No final decision on rounding out Mini’s lineup has been made , he said. BMW re-introduced Mini — a 1960s-era British icon — as an upscale compact-car brand in 2001 to target increasing numbers of well-off urban consumers. Source: driving.ca
